Editorial: Just and fair deals: economy of wages

More perhaps could be enticed to shift their career interest by joining the military and police force now that the base pay of those in uniform has doubled. The lowest rank now gets a monthly base pay of some P29,000, other allowances not included. Securing the country from threats is one worthy profession.

And now public school teachers want a similar pay raise which could create a chain of the same moves from other occupational categories. Can the teachers get their demands this year other than the provision under the three-tranche Salary Standardization Law? The Department of Budget and Management said the grant is nil this year since this would require more than P300 billion in the budget. Where will the government get this sum? Imposing another punch of taxes is of course unpopular and  may create a public roar to the already imposed excise taxes on certain products under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or TRAIN.

       

Wanting really high pay? The government has announced openings for overseas employment   in Germany, Taiwan, Japan, and New Zealand. To qualify is learning the foreign language and undergoing work training other than professional credentials. This, of course, is highly competitive. A nurse to be employed in Germany, for instance, will be earning in Euro equivalent to some P120,000 a month. Sounds lucrative indeed but spending there is not in peso but in their currency. Going back to the country could be disappointing since the sum would be much lower than offered overseas.

       

Sociologically, a change in one necessitates change in the other. Raising remunerations will demand a hike in other occupational categories so as not to create so-called pay dislocations. Doubling the salaries of teachers, for instance, will lead to an exodus from private to public schools if the former’s salary range gets stuck. Economic unrest may then ensue if pay issue is not fixed.

       

Soldiers and cops and teachers need decent take-home pay… and so do other public servants down to the lowly utility workers for they, too, render service (in different ways). Who would clean the sanitary facilities if there are no maintenance workers… would a manager do that for us? Excuse me… many can do housekeeping chores but not public rest rooms.

       

As it goes, give credit to whom it is due. Of course, we don’t get equal shares as this depends on credentials, ranking, performance, and what have we. What is undesirable is economic dislocation arising from unjust and unfair salary schemes. There are high and low posts in employment but wanting are just and fair deals… so be it.